Beginning June 1, 2009, all boaters launching at Lake Tahoe will have to pay an inspection fee prior to getting their hulls wet.
Authorized March 26 by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board, the inspection program is an attempt to prevent the introduction of invasive species like quagga and zebra mussels.
These nasty buggers (the mussels, not the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency), can really ruin an ecosystem if they get established, which would mean Tahoe’s epic fisheries would likely suffer a huge hit.
The fees are to cover the cost of the inspection program and should run $10 to $60, depending on the size of your boat. The average fee will be $30.
Once you’ve paid your fees and your boat and trailer are deemed clear of invasive mussels, a seal will be attached to your boat and as long as the seal isn’t broken, you’ll be able to launch without paying the fee again.
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